calmly

[ kahm-lee, kahlm- ]

adverb

1. without excitement, agitation, or passion:

   He kept his cool throughout, calmly challenging his opponents on alleged facts he believed were wrong.

2. (of wind, waves, etc.) with relatively little force or movement; gently:

   The wind blew calmly as the three of us lay on the beach, lazily passing the time.

Other Words From

• qua·si-calm·ly adverb
• un·calm·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of calmly¹

calm ( def ) + -ly

Example Sentences

A white-haired lady wanders Richard Neutra’s landmark midcentury house in Silver Lake at night, when she suddenly encounters a mountain lion calmly purring — and a grand piano in the room begins to play, on its own, Philip Glass’ “Mad Rush.”

From Los Angeles Times

"His heart is broken, but he is still trying his best to respond calmly to phone calls and all the people who care about my mum."

From BBC

“That’s OK,” the 4-year-old said, calmly turning and retreating to her room.

From Los Angeles Times

Quarterback Makena Cook took the snap, surveyed the field, and calmly threw a dart to freshman Maddison Milne for a first down that clinched the Lancers’ 20-18 triumph over Newport Harbor in the inaugural Southern Section Division 1 flag football championship game Saturday night at El Modena High.

From Los Angeles Times

As CNN's John King and MSNBC's Steve Kornacki poked at states and districts on their respective touchscreen maps, Williams calmly emceed a polite conversation about the election from the center of a gigantic Los Angeles soundstage.

From Salon

Related Words

• coolly
• easily
• peacefully
• serenely
• smoothly